Gipiir and Labongo #14

Okwik (black bird) Jok(God)  Nyim(simsim)  Akony wu nining(May I help you?)  Laming(fool)  Lyec(elephant)  Tiko(bead)  Lutino(children)  Lajok(witch/wizard)

By Aine Susan 

Gipiir sat on an anthill, reflecting on his temporary ascent to a status that once seemed impossible. 

Labongo would never again enjoy such glory at his expense; he felt mighty and capable. His brother was clearly jealous, creating an impossible thicket to overcome after Gipiir had conquered his crippling fears. For a while, he’d lived worse than the scurrying garden rats, surviving off the piteous provisions of the villagers; hoping Labongo’s fury would fade with reason. One wonders what would be preferred; scorn for a worthless man or pity for an acknowledged hero, cast away by none other than the person with whom he shared a womb. Pubungu was split down the spine; a handful, slaves to the conventions left by their forefathers, which they defended piously with a need for consistency and stability; another group convinced that such a great act of heroism as Gipiir’s deserved the minimal reward of pardon; and of course the majority who simply craved a balance – ready to appreciate whichever side could be pacified. They neutralized arguments with a shrug, the honorary phrase, “I’m not sure,” or the occasional evasion; yet even they knew which side their hearts were drawn.

Akoth’s relentless singing sent the okwik flying off to save their lives from a predator whose sound they were totally unfamiliar with. She, on the other hand, skipped forward like a little girl; a hide-satchel filled with her newest concoction and a calabash of the finest drink in the other. She paused at a distance and watched Gipiir fidget with some dried grass; “A little while longer and you’ll be the most revered basket-maker in all the land,” she laughed.

“I’ll creep up from behind him and make him shout for Jok’s grace,” she giggled, taking the path behind him. She reached the bare anthill and immediately took the warrior’s stance ready for an imminent attack, only to feel a swooping leg cause her to stumble. Thankfully, she landed safely in the prepared arms of her oppressor.

“You are no warrior,” Gipiir laughed as she fought him off playfully.

“I’ll take on any man, any day and make him run for his loincloth,” Akoth retorted. “In the meantime, have a taste of my latest creation,” she smiled, handing him the satchel.

“I could swear, you’re trying to poison me; you’re lucky my options are limited!” Gipiir yelled amongst blows from the already offended dame. “Fine, I’ll try your poisons,” he laughed as they finally rested on the grass, drained from laughing. “Smells like Nyim, looks like dried dung,” he muttered, earning a murderous look that forced him to take a bite. “A blend of sweet and salty with just the right amount of bitter in the background to balance the taste,” reminds me of someone I know. Akoth laughed, exposing the adorable gap between her front teeth. “I thought I hated Nyim,” he sighed, stuffing his mouth.

“Nothing a little honey can’t fix,” she sighed. Something drew her to a tenderness Gipiir held, that most men in the tribe lacked. He listened and thought before he spoke or acted, savored the taste of food and drink and usually looked tidy; unlike the barbarians who sprang into action, ate simply to survive and dressed simply to cover up their loins, yet some failed to achieve even this basic and forced victims to watch their peeping sacs. She smiled at the neat knot he used to fasten his cloth, one day to the left and another to the right, then a twist when he made a fringe here and there.

“Akony wu nining?” Gipiir broke through her thoughts, “Could you not strip me with those bright eyes?”

“Hah, I wasn’t… that’s not…,” she stammered, ending with “Laming!” an insult they’d both got accustomed to.

“I’ve decided to retrieve the spear,” 

The mood turned somber.

“It’s been nine full moons; your brother will come through. Pubungu has survived this long without that stupid spear. Besides, you tracked that lyec and you yourself said it was untraceable. Two moons in the wild was enough! You returned with hardly enough water in your body, scarred from your lips to the heels of your feet. When I found you, I thought…,” At this point Akoth’s voice trembled, holding back the lump in her throat. 

“That beast was still alive; its blood trailed the forest and it was getting weaker; slower. I have no idea how I ended up at the edge of the forest when I almost had it!” he clenched his teeth.

“I tell you Gipiir, you were sick; perhaps because of all those wounds or a poisonous fruit; or perhaps madness from being in that forsaken forest for so long! You muttered ‘tiko’ like a lunatic. Oh please, don’t go back! Some of the elders have been talking to Labongo – he will surely reconsider.”

“My mother gave me that bead; there’s more to it than I can see. She said I would know its purpose in the future and now I do. I don’t remember how I lost it, but I know it will lead me to the beast. Besides, my enslavement to Labongo’s will was broken the day he tried to break me; to turn me into a coward again. I am finally free and he won’t conquer me again. This is our final battle; my victory lies in fulfilling his impossible task.”

“Fine, if that’s your decision, I’ll go with you!” Akoth dusted the dust and grass off her skirt and straightened it.

“Akoth!” Gipiir whined.

“Shut up! We both know you messed up the first time because you couldn’t make a meal to save a life, much less tell the difference between an herb and a deadly vine.”

“Must you be reminded that you are a woman?! Stay at home and groom yourself for the man you will be married to. Perfect your cooking and learn to nurture lutino!”

“Gipiir, son of Olum, you are stubborn fool!” At this point, tears garlanded her sharp cheeks. She pulled her skirt up enough to stomp off without resistance, standing at a distance to yell, “If you die out there, I will join the lajok and drown your spirit in nyim! She matched a few steps and turned again, “You will gasp for air and have only nyim in your throat!” “It won’t have any honey,” was her last whimper, as she ran off in tears.

He watched her fade off, thinking only of how much better her life would be if she weren’t associated with a cursed fellow like him. He hadn’t expected to return; the forest was actually a dangerous place; but the path towards the beast was much clearer than whatever lay in wait for him after his brother’s final decision. He had lived as a coward for long enough and couldn’t fathom confining Akoth to the life of an outcast, scavenging on the outskirts of the Pubungu.

The way of the man is hefty; some say prioritize yourself and your name above all else; others say sacrifice whatever you can for the people you love. Perhaps Gipiir’s decision did both; perhaps not – but at least he didn’t tremble, for his mind was as certain as his body and soul, of the troubles that lay ahead, yet the potential reward was far greater.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEDNESDAY